Drivers of Grab’s delivery services and Uber drivers who agree to take packages instead of customers (whose services are hailed via app and are GPS-tracked) may not know they are being used by drug dealers for deliveries.
The Philippine Drug enforcement agency raised the possibility during a press conference yesterday evening.
PDEA issued the advisory after one suspected drug dealer, Jovet Atillano, 32 years old, used the apps to deliver drugs to his customers, according to a report on ABS-CBN News.
Atillano was arrested in a buy-bust operation in a condominium unit in Mandaluyong City.
“Before they know it, the drivers have become unwitting couriers of illegal drugs. We are urging (Uber and Grab) drivers and operators to exercise due diligence to ensure that they will not be used to transport any contraband,” PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said in a statement.
Uber has communicated to its driver partners “to be cautious and to only fulfill trips with riders,” Head of Communications Catherine Avelino told ABS-CBN News.
Grab Philippines Government Communication Manager Fiona Nicolas meanwhile deferred giving a statement, saying instead that its executives may be asked to react on this when they go to Camp Crame on Tuesday morning.
Aquino said drug syndicates register using fake names and pre-activated SIM cards “to avoid detection in case the delivery went amiss and intercepted by authorities.”
“Unaware, the poor driver will likely suffer the dire consequences,” he added.
PDEA said it was coordinating with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to stop traffickers from using the apps to make deliveries.
with reports from ABS-CBN News
